A class XI student of Manav Rachna International School (MRIS), Gurgaon, Emaad Muzaffar (17) was conferred a Global Youth Award at the International Lakes & Rivers Conclave and Education Exhibition held in Frankfurt (Germany) between March 24-28. The first Indian student to participate in this biannual event, Emaad was adjudged the best speaker among 400 youth delegates from more than 100 countries.
Earlier, on January 28 at the national screening championship event staged in Mumbai in which youth aged 18-25 were invited to showcase their debating, presentation and ideation skills, Emaad bested 350 participants with his oratory skills and knowledge of environmental issues especially of India’s lakes and rivers. His presentation of a conser-vation plan for the world-famous Dal Lake, Srinagar, persuaded the judges to select him as the India representative to the Frankfurt conclave.
“My presentation focused on the sorry condition of Delhi’s River Yamuna and the Central and Delhi state governments’ failure to cleanse and revive it. I presented an analysis of the threat the polluted Yamuna poses to Delhi. I also informed the conclave that India has the technology and capability to cleanse the Yamuna, if government support is assured,’’ says Emaad, who also presented papers on the issue of resolution of conflicts between riparian states and salient features of the UN policy on water conservation, during the five-day conclave.
Educating the public and arguing his case before large audiences is not new to this higher secondary student of MRIS. In October last year, he was awarded the Best Delegate trophy at the Global Model United Nations Conference convened in Dubai, where he represented India.
Emaad attributes the development of his debating and public speaking skills to encouragement he received in his formative years from uncle Riyaz Bedar, a decorated IPS officer, his father Muzaffar Iqbal Mukhdoomi, a senior official with the J&K Bank, and his mother Duri, a former teacher at a convent school in Srinagar who left her job to facilitate her son’s education in Delhi.
However, opportunities to rise and shine came his way in MRIS, Gurgaon, a school which accords co-curricular education high priority. “Usually schools don’t encourage co-curricular activities but my principal and teachers facilitated me by providing special tuition to make up for classes missed when participating in national and international events,’’ says Emaad.
Committed to study of the huma-nities, especially political science, this young achiever aspires to join the IAS. “I want to use my talents to inspire others and serve society,’’ he says.
Wind beneath your wings!
Autar Nehru (Delhi)
Zeel Desai
A 13-year-old with 55 tennis titles to her credit, Ahmedabad-based Zeel Desai walks, talks and slogs tennis. Zeel is just back from Mumbai after winning the Under-14 singles on May 18 which comes on the back of a grand double in the previous week — bagging the singles and doubles titles in the ATF Asian U-14 tournament in Pune. “It was a valuable learning experience for me. I am determined to win the Junior Grand Slam 2016 when I will be fully ready,’’ says this young go-getter.
A typical day of this class IX student of the H.B. Kapadia New High School, Ahmedabad, begins at 9 a.m. with a three-hour practice session under the watchful eye of coach Jignesh Raval. Back home for lunch and some rest, she is back at the courts at 3.30 p.m, for another two-hour workout followed by an hour of fitness training. Some rest and leisure moments and it’s early to bed. “School is closed for the summer vacations, otherwise afternoon practice is deferred to the evenings. Plus there’s a lot of travel and playing in tourn-aments across the country. I am very grateful to my principal Muktak Kapadia and teachers for helping me catch up with the classes missed when I’m on tour,” acknowledges Zeel.
Zeel who took to the racquet sport at age six and won her first Under-14 national title when nine, is also fortunate to train at the Ahmedabad Racquets Academy established by her coach in 2011. Raval is an international coach with 14 years experience in 35 countries and also served with the Van de Meer Academy, USA, routinely ranked among the top 25 tennis academies of the world.
Currently # 3 among junior (Under-14) girls, Zeel has also attracted the attention of Lakshya, a Pune-based NGO which sponsors advanced train-ing for promising sportpersons. Under the aegis of Lakshya, Zeel has had the benefit of being trained by Vece Paes, father and coach of India’s durable Davis Cup star Leander Paes. Lakshya also subsidises her travel expenses. “With the support of Lakshya, we are confident of obtaining sponsorships for Zeel who now needs to acquire inter-national play experience,’’ says her doting father Mehul, an Ahmedabad-based business executive.
Power to your racquet!
R.K. Misra (Gandhinagar)